B.C.’s paramedics going for gold at world rescue competition

RICHMOND—A team of CUPE 873 ambulance paramedics will once again put their lifesaving skills to the test at this year’s Rallye Rejviz International Medical Rescue Competition, to be held in the Jesinek Region of the Czech Republic from May 22-26.

The paramedics—Chris Naples, Kevin Lambert, and Rico Ruffy—have gone through a rigorous training regime they hope will put them over the top this year. The support team is comprised of Team Canada – BC manager Clarke McGuire, logistics coordinator Lumir Popek and judge John Richmond.

“Our practices have been awesome,” says McGuire. “Each time out we challenged them with everything possible: from emergency child birth and complications to infectious disease, multiple casualties, explosions, complex medical cases and even cardiac arrest procedures—they have done it all. We are ready to do our sponsors, our service, our colleagues, our union and our country proud!”

McGuire adds that this year’s team, of the many he has been involved with over 38 years, has all the right elements for success.

“This team has the work ethics and professional attitude we strive for,” he says. “They have been meeting on their own to hold table top exercises and mini practice sessions to impress us and it clearly shows. I believe they will represent Canada in the finest form and I am proud to be associated with them.”

The paramedics’ portion of the event features 25 teams from 16 countries in a series of ten random emergency situations. Teams are judged on their response time, knowledge, skill and ability to perform under pressure. Last year, Team Canada-B.C. took the silver medal, finishing less than 200 points from first place.